Mark Lawrenson looks ahead to Manchester City's trip to Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday night

Mark Lawrenson is backing Liverpool to hold Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League clash at Anfield on Wednesday night.

City triumphed on penalties as they lifted the League Cup trophy at Wembley on Sunday after a 1-1 draw with the Reds in north London.

The sides are now preparing to do battle once again just three days later as both teams turn their attentions back to Premier League affairs.

Manchester City will be looking to get back to winning ways and reignite their title challenge, while Liverpool will aim to boost their top-four hopes with victory over the Citizens.

Former Liverpool man Lawrenson feels that the Sky Blues are under more pressure heading into Wednesday’s game and that they cannot afford to drop any more points in the title race.

And writing in his column for BBC Sport, Lawrenson said: “This game comes three days after Manchester City beat Liverpool on penalties in the Capital One Cup final and I don’t see Jurgen Klopp’s side getting much in the way of revenge.

“Firstly, Klopp must decide what kind of team to put out, but City manager Manuel Pellegrini has to put out another strong side because he cannot afford to drop any more points.

“It is no coincidence that City play well when the spine of their team – Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero – are fit and in form.

“Just like at Wembley, Liverpool’s first task is to stop City. Too many of the Reds players went missing in the first half at Wembley, and they cannot afford to let that happen again.”